RFK Jr. Attempts to Distance Himself from Anti-Vaccine Movement Amid Confirmation Hearing
Kennedy's statements on vaccines sharply contrast with his previous positions, but the anti-vaccine movement continues to rally behind him.
During his confirmation hearing for Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. sat before the Senate Finance Committee, flanked by both anti-vaccine activists and loyal supporters. The hearing marked a critical moment for Kennedy, as he faced intense scrutiny from public health experts, doctors’ groups, and lawmakers. His task: to navigate his controversial past as an outspoken anti-vaccine advocate while reassuring the committee that he could effectively lead a department overseeing 80,000 employees and a $1.8 trillion budget.
In his opening statement, Kennedy sought to clarify his stance on vaccines: “News reports have claimed that I am anti-vaccine or anti-industry. Well, I am neither; I am pro-safety,” he declared. “All of my kids are vaccinated, and I believe vaccines have a critical role in health care.” These remarks, however, seemed at odds with Kennedy’s previous documented views, which included advising parents against vaccinating their children. Despite this dissonance, the anti-vaccine movement remained enthusiastic, with some activists even traveling to Washington to support him during the hearing.
Kennedy has long distanced himself from the anti-vaccine label in mainstream media, but in circles aligned with his views, he has been open about his stance. In a 2020 podcast for his nonprofit group, Children’s Health Defense, Kennedy claimed that vaccines caused food allergies in his children and expressed regret over vaccinating them. He stated, “What would I do if I could go back in time and I could avoid giving my children the vaccines that I gave them? I would do anything for that.” His comments reinforced his reputation within the anti-vaccine movement, a position that he seemed to step back from during the confirmation hearing.
Despite his public attempts to distance himself from the anti-vaccine community, Kennedy continues to enjoy significant support from its ranks. In 2020, he said on a podcast, “Our job is to resist and to talk about it to everybody... I see somebody on a hiking trail carrying a little baby, and I say to him, ‘Better not get him vaccinated.’” Yet, during the confirmation hearing, Kennedy backpedaled, stating his support for vaccines and the current childhood vaccination schedule.
Since launching his presidential campaign, Kennedy has straddled two worlds: publicly claiming he is not anti-vaccine while relying on the backing of anti-vaccine groups behind the scenes. His campaign has employed anti-vaccine figures like Del Bigtree, leader of the Informed Consent Action Network, who has indicated that Kennedy remains dedicated to the cause. “Bobby didn’t get dragged through the mud for over a decade just so he could compromise his values once he finally got inside the castle,” Bigtree remarked.
Kennedy’s team, however, has attempted to distance him from figures like Bigtree. Katie Miller, a spokesperson for Kennedy’s transition team, stated that Bigtree's views did not align with Kennedy’s or President Trump’s administration. Despite these efforts, the enthusiasm within the anti-vaccine movement remains undiminished. On the day of the hearing, the group MAHA Alliance organized events in support of Kennedy’s confirmation, including a rally at the Capitol and a celebratory gathering at the Hyatt Regency.
The hearing also drew attention from long-time anti-vaccine activists and organizations, with figures like Nicole Shanahan, who funded Kennedy’s presidential campaign, and Zen Honeycutt, a vocal advocate against vaccines, joining the crowd. Shanahan warned senators that she would personally fund challengers to those who voted against Kennedy’s confirmation. The Informed Consent Action Network and Children’s Health Defense streamed the hearing, marking the occasion as a pivotal moment for their cause.
Despite attempts to downplay his ties to the anti-vaccine movement, Kennedy’s past actions and statements continue to attract significant support from its proponents. Senator Bernie Sanders questioned him about Children’s Health Defense’s controversial merchandise, including a baby onesie emblazoned with “Unvaxxed, Unafraid,” but Kennedy denied any control over the organization, instead reiterating his support for vaccines.
Kennedy’s anti-vaccine activism dates back to 2005 when he began promoting the idea that vaccines were linked to autism, a theory that was later discredited. He founded Children’s Health Defense, a group that continues to advocate against vaccine mandates and promote unproven claims about vaccine safety. While scientific research has consistently shown vaccines to be safe, the anti-vaccine movement gained traction during the COVID-19 pandemic, fueled by political conservatives who viewed vaccine mandates as an infringement on individual freedoms.
During the confirmation hearing, Senator Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, a prominent vaccine skeptic, praised Kennedy for his stance on vaccine safety and conspiracy theories related to chronic illness and autism. “Coming together with Trump and focusing on an area of agreement... I thought this is an answer to my prayers,” Johnson said, aligning himself with Kennedy’s views.
Although Kennedy tried to distance himself from the anti-vaccine movement during the confirmation process, the continued support from anti-vaccine groups suggests that he remains closely aligned with their ideology. In his remarks, Kennedy acknowledged the movement’s strength, calling it “one of the most transcendent and powerful movements I’ve ever seen.” Despite his efforts to redefine his public persona, it’s clear that Kennedy’s past and his ongoing relationships with anti-vaccine activists will continue to shape his political future.